Tell us about yourself.
I am an artist who prefers working with glass, chalk pastels, markers, and paint markers. I have lived most of my life with Behcet’s Disease and Autonomic Neuropathy. These conditions cause severe pain and fatigue, and make everyday tasks, like showering, very difficult.
Making artwork provides me with an opportunity to distract myself from my pain, express what I’m going through, and to have a sense of purpose.
I do a lot of drawing from the comfort of my bed, as I am often too unwell to get up. Making fused glass art is a motivating force for me to spend time out bed when I am able to.
What draws you to the material you work with?
Like most glass artists, I have an addiction to the medium and have learned many ways of working with glass: hot-shop glassblowing, sand casting, kiln casting, stained glass, and glass engraving, but due to my disability I am more capable and comfortable creating fused glass.
What themes do you pursue in your work, and why have you chosen the processes that you use in your work?
I have primarily made jewelry in the past, however my goals are changing and I am beginning to make more complex pieces. I have recently made a few collaborative pieces with a good friend who creates beautiful pieces from recycled steel. I am currently working on a piece that tells the story of my pain, fatigue, and disability through fused, engraved, flameworked, and kiln-cast glass, which is opening up other doors in my imagination. There is never enough time to work on glass art.
What is your dream project?
If I had an endless supply of strength, energy, money, and time, I would buy a much bigger kiln, a hotter torch, and make several upgrades to my home studio. In my imaginary glass studio, I would like to have assistants so that I could accomplish large panels in which I translate some of my drawings into glass.
Why are you a member of GAS?
I appreciate GAS for the connectivity, conference, and potential unexpected benefits from call for artists or other member only opportunities.